Bland Holt (1853-1941)

(Joseph) Bland Holt, a British actor and producer, achieved popularity with melodrama, using spectacular theatrical effects. Holt's productions included furious bicycle races, thundering horse races, three-ring circuses on stage, and a dog that rescued a "drowning" murder victim from a river (a hidden water tank). The Bland Holt company enjoyed particular success in Australia. Here we see Holt, an excellent clown and pantomimist in his early career, wearing a magnificent costume and makeup at the Gurney studio.